VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball, originally called “mintonette,” was invented in 1895 by William G.

Morgan, a physical education director at the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
The game was designed as a less strenuous alternative to basketball and was
intended for businessmen. It was renamed “volleyball” in 1896 due to the
volleying nature of the play. The original rules were written by Morgan and
published in 1897. Volleyball quickly gained popularity in schools, playgrounds,
and other organizations in the United States and was introduced to other
countries by American troops during World War I. The first nationwide
tournament was held in New York City in 1922. The United States Volleyball
Association (USVBA), now known as USA Volleyball (USAV), was formed in 1928
to oversee and govern the sport in the United States. International volleyball
competition began in 1913, and the Fédération International de Volley Ball
(FIVB) was organized in Paris in 1947. Volleyball became an Olympic sport for
both men and women in 1964. The sport has been dominated by teams from
Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, the Soviet Union (Russia),
China, Japan, and Korea. Beach volleyball, which is played on a sand court with
two players per team, was introduced in California in 1930 and became an
Olympic sport in 1996. Volleyball has evolved over the years, with rule changes
including the introduction of the set and spike in 1916, the reduction of points
from 21 to 15 in 1917, and the implementation of three hits per side and back
row attack rules in 1920. The first YMCA national championships were held in
1922, and the United States Volleyball Association was formed in 1928. The first
two-man beach tournament was held in 1948, and the Women’s Professional
Volleyball Association was formed in 1986.

Benefits of Volleyball
• Volleyball can help improve cardiovascular and respiratory system health due
to the intense nature of the game. It can also help improve hand-eye
coordination and fast reflexes.
• Volleyball is a great way to burn calories, with a 45-minute game burning up to
585 calories. The sport involves fast-paced, cooperative play, which can help
build a sense of community and improve interpersonal skills. •
• Volleyball can strengthen the upper body, arms, shoulders, thighs, and lower
leg muscles. Playing volleyball can improve mood, reduce stress, and
encourage a sense of pride in accomplishments.
• The sport involves constant communication and teamwork, teaching players
the importance of encouraging and supporting one another. Volleyball can help
improve self-confidence and reduce stress. It can also improve coordination,
balance, and speed due to the various physical motions used during gameplay.
• Playing volleyball can use the same amount of energy as jogging a mile,
providing a full-body work
out.